Aarif, Dipendra century stand guides Nepal to seven-wicket win

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Feb 03, 2026

A century partnership between Aarif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee helped Nepal open their warm-up campaign with a convincing seven-wicket victory over UAE at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

After opting to field, Nepal did well to keep UAE in check for most of the innings before a late surge lifted them to 145 for 6. UAE were 80 for 5 after 15 overs, but Nepal conceded 65 runs in the final five overs, allowing the total to swell.

Lower-middle-order batters Harshit Kaushik (35) and Sohaib Khan (38 not out) were instrumental in that recovery, adding 68 runs for the sixth wicket. Their stand ensured UAE posted a competitive score on a surface that offered decent value for shots.

Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC were the pick of Nepal’s bowlers with two wickets apiece. Dipendra Singh Airee also chipped in with a wicket, though he conceded 12 runs in his three overs.

Nepal’s chase began shakily as two of the top three batters were run out, including captain Rohit Paudel and Asif Sheikh. Kushal Bhurtel fell to an outswinger from Muhammad Rohid, edging behind to wicketkeeper Aryansh Sharma. Rohid finished as UAE’s only wicket-taker.

From there, Aarif and Dipendra took control, stitching together an unbeaten 103-run stand to see Nepal home. Aarif finished on 61 not out, while Dipendra remained unbeaten on 50. The pair struck 12 boundaries and three sixes between them, pacing the chase smartly to seal the win at Chepauk.

The victory marked Nepal’s first win in warm-up matches across their three T20 World Cup appearances. They had lost both warm-up games in 2014, against Ireland and UAE, and were beaten by Canada in the 2024 edition, with their other match against USA abandoned without a ball bowled.

Nepal will next face Canada in their final warm-up fixture at the same venue on Thursday.